3/25/2013 |
First-pitch strikes crucial for McPhersonFor four innings Monday night, Kyle McPherson had a pretty good hold on a berth in the Pirates' starting rotation. Then the righty lost his grip, and the makeup of that rotation remained a mystery wrapped in suspense.

3/25/2013 |
Dunstons Sr., Jr. enjoy Cactus League reunionIt was Family Day for the Dunstons at HoHoKam Stadium on Monday. Shawon Dunston Sr., an instructor on the Giants staff, was sitting with the San Francisco coaches. His son, Shawon Jr., an 11th-round pick by the Cubs, who were his dad's first pro team, entered the game in the sixth.

3/25/2013 |
Dream come true for Barnes to make 25-man rosterThe news he had made the Opening Day roster was nothing short of a dream come true for Astros outfielder Brandon Barnes, a true grinder who nearly considered giving up baseball on more than one occasion.

3/25/2013 |
Sandoval's ailing elbow getting betterGiants manager Bruce Bochy said Monday that Pablo Sandoval could resume playing light catch in "a couple of days" after the third baseman showed improvement with his injured right elbow.

3/25/2013 |
Crain positive after return to game actionWhite Sox reliever Jesse Crain allowed three earned runs on three hits over two-thirds of an inning during the Angels' 11-5 victory on Monday. But being that it was Crain's first Cactus League appearance since Feb. 25 and his sore right adductor muscle came through the 25-pitch outing without a hitch, it was actually a positive.

3/25/2013 |
Felix, Iwakuma, Saunders to start first three gamesManager Eric Wedge on Monday confirmed the top three pitchers in his rotation to start the season, but the battle for the fourth and fifth spots will continue through the final days of Spring Training after another strong outing by Brandon Maurer.

3/25/2013 |
Vogelsong accomplishes goal against CubsRyan Vogelsong arrived at HoHoKam Stadium intent on being in the same physical condition upon leaving it. With the Giants slated to open the regular season at Los Angeles next Monday, Vogelsong felt wary about the risks of participating in a meaningless Cactus League game.

3/25/2013 |
Billingsley is optimistic he will start April 2Chad Billingsley said he was optimistic about starting the second game of the year for the Dodgers after throwing what he called a "normal" bullpen session on Monday, including seven curveballs.

3/25/2013 |
Haren set to pitch against Marlins on TuesdayNationals right-hander Dan Haren will pitch against the Marlins in Jupiter, Fla., on Tuesday afternoon. Haren had the choice to pitch in a Minor League game at the team's complex, but he felt he would be motivated by pitching against the Marlins. Haren then decided to spend the night in Jupiter on Monday in order to be ready to play the next day.

3/25/2013 |
Garcia to see Nationals team doctors in DCRight-hander Christian Garcia, who will start the season on the disabled list because of a right forearm tendon injury, will travel with the Nationals back to Washington to see the team's doctors.

3/25/2013 |
Closer Rodney ready for start of seasonFernando Rodney is scheduled to pitch an inning on Wednesday, and another on Saturday, and that will be it for the Rays closer before the team opens the season April 2 in a late-afternoon contest against the Orioles at Tropicana Field.